Harmonix explains gimped Wii Rock Band
by Chris Greenhough 
{ Apr 9th 2008 at 5:00PM }
So it appears you're all pretty upset about the Wii version of Rock Band. And hey, we can't blame you -- we feel the same way! The reduced feature-set of the Wii game hurts, and like many of you, the lack of online play and DLC may well force us to purchase another version.But according to developer Harmonix, none of this is really its fault -- nope, it's the Wii that's to blame, specifically the lack of a Wii hard drive. Quoth Harmonix design director Rob Kay: "[...] We need a hard drive. That's what we want. The whole problem is there's nowhere to store it. If the platform could do it, we'd jump on it."
Which is a valid point, actually. With single songs on other versions weighing in at around 30 - 45MB, the Wii's 512MB of internal storage would fill up quickly. We remain justifiably cross, however, at the missing online play.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
TheDave @ Apr 9th 2008 5:06PM
We know it might take some time to figure it out.
SHOW EM WE STILL WANT IT!
Sign up, and maybe there will be some hope!
http://www.petitiononline.com/rbwii/
Joe Cart @ Apr 9th 2008 5:20PM
Good looking out... just signed the petition...
and come on, I mean really, this game is almost garbage without some sort of DLC... I dont have money to buy a 360 or ps3, nor do i plan or want to buy either any time soon... so I NEED this game to be good on wii for heavens sake
TheDave @ Apr 9th 2008 5:25PM
They are out of excuses.
DRM issues come up? Use Encryption. Really is it that difficult?
Don't you think that the DLC on the 360's HDD is encrypted?
Yes, 512MB is not a lot of memory for DLC. There is this little slot on the front of the Wii for SD Cards. It's there for a reason!
I'm sure that anyone wanting DLC will spend the money (< $10 for 1GB) on an SD Card. Heck I would buy as many as I needed to fir DLC. It's not that hard to manage what DLC is on what SD Card if REALLY needed.
Is the load time going to be 5 minutes off of the SD Card? Fine, get Nintendo to make a USB Hard Drive to plug in the back.
People will probably buy it if they really have to (I doubt it would really be needed though).
Really, this is BOTH Nintendo's AND Harmonix problem. They REALLY need to get working on this. It might delay the game some, understandable. But get it working!
Nintendo is setting up to LOSE customers if it can't get this working. Yes the Wii is the most popular right now, but it won't stay that way if they can't get things like this figured out.
Agree or not, This type of game IS one of the most popular right now, and DLC and online play only adds to it.
Without it, the entire game would suffer.
WiiRockBand @ Apr 9th 2008 7:05PM
Thanks for posting that link up there.
I have been trying to get them to run a story with that petition link attached, but I guess they didn't want to.
You don't need to do anything to sign the petition, but provide a name, and email address. They won't even send you an email to "confirm", and it definitely will NOT be sent on to Nintendo or Harmonix.
Sign-Up, and show them exactly the potential # of customers they are missing out on (and disappointing).
As that petitions author,
I will say that if that petition gets several thousand signatures, I will print out all of them (hopefully a few boxes worth of paper), and mail it to BOTH Nintendo, AND Harmonix. Something needs to be done about this serious lack of effort here. The sooner the better so they at least have time to work on it.
Hopefully this will get the message across that us Wii customers do not want to keep getting walked on by companies making these lousy ports.
In fact, I know WiiFanBoy can edit the story, why not add the petition link in there, and state what I just said above?
BDR @ Apr 9th 2008 7:38PM
Because petitions mean nothing.
I'm sorry to rain on your parade, but multi-million dollar video game juggernauts like Rock Band will sell bucketloads, it doesn't matter how gimped it is. It's a sad but true fact.
Not to mention that Harmonix or Nintendo will never ever read the petition, and if by some coincidence they do, you can bet your bottom dollar that they don't care.
Brucie B @ Apr 9th 2008 5:13PM
Need Hard Drive!!
Mr Khan @ Apr 9th 2008 5:21PM
Certainly one is needed, but if they really cared about this version, they would find a stopgap
This is them just trying to make it seem like they care about this version of Rock Band, when they've already made it clear that they don't
Tom Boucher @ Apr 9th 2008 5:25PM
yes because the SD card slot can't hold anything large enough to store a few DLCs.
I mean 1GB, 2GB, 4GB or 8GB clearly isn't enough storage.
whatever. still fail, still no sale.
bhengh @ Apr 9th 2008 5:36PM
This is just an excuse by Harmonix. DLC is certainly possible and practical with an SD card. Games already read MP3 files directly from SD cards, and a 2GB SD card should easily be able to hold more than 40 songs.
The real reason there is no DLC is that the Wii version of the game is a quick-and-dirty port of the PS2 version. They underestimated the popularity of the Wii, and once they realized they needed a Wii version, they wanted to get the game out in a hurry.
James @ Apr 9th 2008 5:47PM
Well said. I own all 3 consoles, so I'm lucky -- if I want RB, I have 2 perfectly good versions to choose from. I guess you could blame Wii owners -- if you bought your console basically anytime substantially after launch, you knew when you signed up that your online experience was going to be sub-par, with no sign of per-game DLC. I blame Harmonix, though -- they clearly didn't care enough to make a "full featured" port to the Wii, and now it's coming back to bite them.
raptorspike @ Apr 9th 2008 9:05PM
Guys, I hate to break it to you, but Harmonix isn't to blame. I'm not going to say it is Nintendo's either (well partially for not allowing an HDD or having a usable online system). The company making the Wii version is Pi Studios, the same as the PS2 version
RatMasterD21 @ Apr 9th 2008 5:37PM
i think its BS..if they think we'll run out of space then why not have the same kind of download delete re-download system that nintendo does...i'm willing to not play a few songs for awhile and then redowanload them...this is all BS they just put 0 thought into it. "Lets rush this title out cuz we were to stupid to make it for wii in the first place"-Harmonix
bhengh @ Apr 9th 2008 5:39PM
By the way, I love the gimped Rock Band image.
eugaet @ Apr 9th 2008 5:48PM
I've got a 2GB SD card and have been stockpiling Wii Point cards ever since the Rock Band Wii rumor started up. This is just disappointing. I'd like to know if Harmonix even considered using the SD card...or are even aware that it's there and available.
raptorspike @ Apr 9th 2008 5:49PM
So, where's the excuse for no online or use of a wii remote-based guitar?
Mr Khan @ Apr 9th 2008 6:08PM
The Wiimote-based guitar is probably related to that whole legal conflict they've got going with Activision and Gibson right now
The lack of online reaffirms their lack of caring
B-way @ Apr 9th 2008 6:43PM
Does Nintendo let you d/l virtual console games to SD? Didn't think so. You can't keep the songs secure if they are on an external card, there's no way the labels would let them. You'd be able to take all your songs over to a friends house to play without him having to buy the same songs too, and that makes the RIAA sh!t kittens.
TheDave @ Apr 9th 2008 6:48PM
You can already copy a VC game to SD and take it to a friends house, copy it to his Wii, and try to play it there, and YOU CAN'T PLAY IT!
The copy protection is ALREADY THERE!
Nintendo needs to WAKE UP, and support the SD card slot for storage on stuff you buy already, and let you play it directly from there though.
clif @ Apr 9th 2008 6:29PM
They left out the reason for online play..... Harmonix what the hell is going on? Really confused.
Nintendo where's the hard-drive? A developer came out and said that's it is needed. How much more convincing do you guys need?
CalcProgrammer1 @ Apr 9th 2008 7:08PM
Stupid Harmonix.
1) If they NEED a hard drive, then OMG! The Wii has these 2 things on the back called USB PORTS. They have PROGRAMMERS at Harmonix who can write these magnificent little programs called DRIVERS to support USB hard drives! OMG! Like, Why didn't they think of that!
Really, if Nintendo isn't going to make a hard drive attachment, there's nothing stopping you from using the USB ports. Come on, people!
2) DRM issues? Big deal! DRM is lame nonsense, it's a waste of resources and money. All DRM is is hacking bait. It's only a matter of time until someone breaks the DRM, so why even waste the effort.
3) Online. WHERE IS IT! The Wii HAS WiFi and Ethernet hardware, there's no question about that. You have not said why no online.
I'm NOT buying this for the Wii. I might buy it for 360 though. There's no way anyone should buy this lame garbage though if they don't bother to implement anything on the Wii. Next time, they should actually take a minute and try to implement features before ruling out a console, maybe then we'll care.
Dan @ Apr 9th 2008 6:36PM
i would pay $50 more for some kind of harddrive utility. I don't care. That's how much rock band needs the downloadable content.
Sonic_13 @ Apr 9th 2008 6:37PM
I don't buy this for a second. It's just an excuse. The SD card slot is more than capable of storing any DLC.
Plus, as others have stated, what are their excuses for not supporting online or using the Wii remote. There is certainly no reason to not support online play.
Really, it just makes Harmonix seem lazy.
Matt B @ Apr 9th 2008 6:42PM
Still no explanation why there is no GH3 support? Now THAT'S lame, especially with Nyko coming out with their own guitar. It has nothing to do with Activison. Until that changes, no sale for me.
B-way @ Apr 9th 2008 6:56PM
Just read up some more. This is another dang ps2 port?! No wonder it doesn't have dlc, you'd have to download the dang music video since its not actually rendering anything. That is lame as heck, the wii is perfectly capable of rendering rock band. Heck, even the ps2 is capable of rendering rock band without doing the streaming crap with no custom characters. Thats just lazy Harmonix. SHAME.
EcnobA @ Apr 9th 2008 7:11PM
NOT EXCUSE AT ALL..............
this is just bull. they have no excuse
use the SD card like brawl does.
put some character creator like the other versions.
make the GH3 guitar to be use for the game.
and do some online player like GH3.
why do I even bother...I'm BOYCOTTING THIS GAME
who is with me?
Dio @ Apr 10th 2008 4:34AM
I boycotted this game long ago when they charged THAT much for pieces of plastic.
EcnobA @ Apr 9th 2008 7:14PM
well i bet if all of us start sending e-mails to capcom asking for this game for the wii it will probably make them think about designing an exclusive RE game for us instead of trying
to port games like okami, rock band and others. that way developers will see that there is a demand for originality on the wii. we have to stop complaining and wishing that games like this will come to the wii and start taking some action like stop buying stupid ports from other consoles and make them realize that the wii its not a quick ATM or cash machine.
if we want better games we have to make a stamen
Gewurztraminer (needs more umlaut) @ Apr 9th 2008 10:36PM
like, on a flower?
TendoMan @ Apr 9th 2008 7:23PM
With the recent jumps in homebrew on the Wii, I'm wondering how long it will take until some crafty programmer codes up a firmware update to allow for USB Mass Storage Devices?
Homebrewers.. I'm looking at you!
Even though it would not change the fact that Harmonix wont add DLC to the game, it would at least allow to easier transfer and storage of VC games, and maybe (just maybe) give Nintendo a nudge in the right direction by proving that it is even possible.
That, or they announce a HDD add-on at E3 :/
Pfft. Right.
Mr Khan @ Apr 9th 2008 7:26PM
Again, Matt C has heavily hinted that they will do that very thing, but his more outlandish claims need to be taken with a grain of salt
Adam @ Apr 9th 2008 10:37PM
Ditto on other folks' comments as to the character creator. I could go without DLC for the Wii version, and maybe even online play, but not being able to pimp out my very own rocker is just inexcusable. And again I ask: why the hell are Wii owners paying $10 more than the PS2 version when they're essentially the same game?
Chyld989 @ Apr 10th 2008 12:07AM
I'm the exact opposite...no online or DLC is just horribly wrong, but I'm just fine with not having customizable characters =P
With Your Heart - Nintendo™ @ Apr 10th 2008 4:51PM
Hey Nintendo™!!!! If you are out there please fix the hard drive / storage accidents. Harmonix please stop making lame excuses & use your power to make this Wii Version great. PLEASE!!!
Brento @ Apr 9th 2008 11:01PM
Real simple question: How many gamers that would blow $170 on Rock Band dont have either a PS3 or XBOX360? If you have a Wii then be a real man and get one of the other if ya dont already.
TendoMan @ Apr 10th 2008 12:26AM
Because there is a real difference between 170$ and 400.00.
I DONT have 400. But I MIGHT be able to scratch up 170.00
Now, I'm not saying that I will BUY RBWii, because I wont, but hey, I'm too broke to buy a 360 or PS3. 170? I (theoretically) could squeeze that into my grown-up "no fun" bills only budget.
Brento @ Apr 11th 2008 4:49PM
Then get a second job and stop laying around playing those pesky videogames after work. I went to college. I got a good paying job. Maybe you should head over to the local community college and see what they have to offer. Or have you thought about making a true contribution to society and joining the army. They'll make something out of you if the rest of us can't. No go be a Do'er and not a dreamer.
CJLopez @ Apr 10th 2008 12:26AM
I laugh at Harmonix, they saw the selling rate of the wii and thinks that every wii owner will get a rockband and make bizillion of bucks just because of this by porting a ps2 version of the game???
how stupid do they think we are????
I own a Wii and i'd preffer get a GH3 instead of this one, actually, i wouldn't get this game for any console, rather download it and make my own instruments instead of wasting money on this, jajajajja, I laugh at you harmonix for your poor excuses
Jumbo @ Apr 10th 2008 8:49AM
I dont think anyone cares about your petition or whether or not you buy this game.
There are tons of people out there that will.
epic2515 @ Apr 13th 2008 11:17AM
I'm back and forth on this, I go to Gamestop and Circuitcity to play or watch people play and I still enjoy it. As much as I would LOVE to have the option to download current songs and play with other people, I can't take it anymore! I do enjoy playing this game and playing the drums is so much fun... so sadly I may just break down and buy it, not right away but I will get down the line. Hopefully within that time they would come up with an option for adding online play.
zimbobwa @ Apr 22nd 2008 9:23AM
you should also but into your petition somthing about Character Customization because that was one thing i really liked doing in my friends 360 version.
j0sh @ Apr 22nd 2008 1:23PM
we got the wii for our 3 kids, but got guitar hero 3 for us and love it, then my wife went to her friends house and played rock band on a xbox 360, she loved it, then we started reading about the wii verison, she went down and put $50 to hold it, but then she started reading about it being a stripped down version with no dlc, incapatable guitars from gh3 to rock band, so she talked me into (well I played the drums on the xbox version and was hooked) getting a xbox 360 and bought rock band. the 360 is in our room and the wii will be relegated to the kids play room. The wii is fun, but its kinda like a mopped, the're fun to ride, but you don't want your friends to see you on it.
Hiro @ May 26th 2008 9:36AM
I know it won't have DLC and Online Gameplay (which sucks) but I also heard it won't have Band World Tour. Is this true or not?
Dee @ Jun 27th 2008 2:27AM
Not having the ability to play online or pimp out a character doesn't bother me, but to pay $189 for the Wii version instead of $109 for the Ps2 version when they are exactly the same (besides the 5 extra songs) is asinine. If I would have known there was no DLC, (most important to me would be the ability to BUY MORE SONGS) I would have bought the Ps2 version months ago. Especially considering that if you have a 3 or 4 hour party you go through every song ...more than once. This is all about them makin money on a piece of crap product.